Marriott-Slaterville City-the Beginning After the February 2, 1999, election, most residents set back relaxed, pleased with the results, and feeling confidence in the future. Their work was done, wasn't it? Not so, with the newly elected officials. Average citizens, they found themselves alone in a big, new world with sketchy road maps and a basically new driving permit. Experienced or not, the tremendous effort of creating a new city government had to begin. What date should be targeted for the incorporation to begin? There were ordinances and technical codes, such as a building code, to write, an interim planning commission, and other appointments to make, roads for which we were now responsible, fire and police protection to provide, and myriad other tasks. This baby city didn't even have a place to call home, and no money to meet its needs. Undaunted, the new officials, drawing on past planning and township experience, forged ahead. Without a building for its home, initial meetings were held at the Weber Fire District offices in the Weber Industrial Park. Volunteer Jayna Smout became the interim meetings clerk. At a March meeting, Bill Morris and Duncan Murray, whose past volunteer work had been fundamental in planning, township, and incorporation efforts, were appointed as the interim Recorder and Administrator/Attorney respectively. A date of July 1, 1999, was set as the official date to file the Articles of Incorporation--the" birthday" of the new city. This would allow those elected to complete the necessary work of creating the government framework: budget, preliminary appointments, ordinances, and service agreements. The latter included agreements with Weber County for fire and sheriff protection, and for road maintenance. Through connections developed over the years, a city office building was obtained by Mayor Keith Butler, with the aid of Steven Mecham. He was able to secure Building 390 on former D.D.O. property, on a no-cost lease. They also, along with Duncan Murray, Bill Morris, and others found surplus and inexpensive furniture and supplies for the new office. The building is located just inside the West Gate, and the city government moved in and started operations there in April 1999. Government requires money. Therefore, an important matter of business was the effort of the Mayor, Orvil Holley, and Bill Morris to secure an interest free $25,000 loan from Weber County to be used for operating expenses until sales tax revenue was available and distributed to the city later in the year. This was to be paid back by November 15, 1999. The new city government, in keeping with the community desire to maintain its heritage and rural environment, encouraged the Utah State Legislature to designate Marriott-Slaterville City as the first open space preservation city in Utah. The resolution to do so was adopted on February 25, 1999. The expressed desire for Ogden City to retain historical sites within the former D. D. O., did not bring the same success. Ogden City said they plan to retain a few sites within the boundaries. We can only hope they do so, as this area is so significant to our city's past. Defense Depot Ogden's historical records will be archived at Weber State University. In spite of overwhelming responsibilities, and with the untiring and devoted efforts of all the officials-elected and the interim appointees, the right things did happen. A public budget hearing was held on June 10, 1999, services for fire and police protection, and road maintenance were contracted, and Articles of Incorporation drawn up. On June 17 an open house for all residents was held, where they were invited to sign the Articles of Incorporation. Over 100 citizens attended and signed the articles. Interim City Council President, H. Orvil Holley, called it our "Independence Celebration." 206